Gasoline pump lock and registering mechanism



, y 1937- s. s. GREEN 2,087,665

GASOLINE PUMP LOCK AND REGISTERING MECHANISM Filed Oct. l6, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR I George 3. Grrrn BY M ATTORNEY y 1937. G. s. GREEN 2,087,665

GASOLINE PUMP LOCK AND REGISTERING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 16, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IZI mo 43 INVENTOR Genrge S. 612211-- A TTORNEY July 20, 1937. G. s. GREEN v 2,087,665

GASOLINE PUMP LOCK AND REGISTERING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 16, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Gem'ge 3.612211.

fi/ ATTORN Y Patented July 20, 1937 GASOLINE PUMP CK AWE REGHSTEEMNG} MEGHANI SME v George S. Green, iiape Eliaahet ApplicationOctohcr Sid. i936, Serial. No. Mimi i This invention relates to gasoline dispensing apparatus,-and more particularly to a comhina= tion key and counter for use in gasoline filling stations to unlock the pump and register the amount of gasoline dispensed by each attendant.

One object of this invention is to provide a combined key and counter mechanism which when inserted in the lock is adapted to release a switch for controlling the operation oi an electric motor or manual or other means for operating the gasoline pump.

A further object is to provide a combined key and counter of the above naturein which the r counter is adapted to be detachably connected with the interior registering mechanism of the pump and is driven in synchronism therewith.

A still further object is to provide a device of conveniently embodied in practice.

In the drawings: 1

Fig. 1 is a front view partially in section, of a gasoline dispensing pump having the first form of the invention installed thereon.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged front view of the lock and registering mechanism of the pump shown in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of arrow 2.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a rear sectional view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2 taken on the broken line 4--4 of said figure.

- Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a modified form of registering and locking mechanism also embodying the features of the invention.- g

Fig. 6 is a side view, partly in section, of another modified form of the invention.

Fig. 7 is an end view of the device shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 9 is aside view, partly in section. of still another modified form of the invention.

Fig. 10 isan end view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 9.

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 areend views of three modified forms of drive shaft, respectively. which may be employed in the first form of the invention.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view ofa still further alternative form of drive shaft. 1

retained in open position by the weight of said Fig. 15 is perspective view oi one of the in dividual combination key and counters.

Referring now Figs. 14 inclusive oi the drawings, wherein one form of lock and counter is shown in combination with a gasoline on 5 having means i'or indicating the price and ouan= tity the gasoline delivered, the dispensing olevice includes pedestal-like casing which can closes pump 2i driven by an electric motor 22 through a helt 23. A depending pipe 24 commu= nicathig with a source of liquid supply (not shown) leads into the pump it, and a pipe 25 leads upwardly from the pump it to a meter 28,, which is provided to register the total amount of liquid dispensed. 1 pipe 21! leading upwardly from the meter communicates through an overhead sight gauge 28 with a flexible dispensing tube 29 to which is connected the usual filling nozzle iii.

The motor 22 is energized from the electrical main line conductors ii and 32 under the con- 20 trol of a suitable switch enclosed in a box 33 from nozzle and handle. Removal of the handle 38 permits the lever to move upwardly into the dotted position by the action oi its spring to close the switch and energize the motor 22.

A shaft 39 extends upwardly from the meter 28 and serves to drive the operating mechanism in the visual price and gallons indicator 40 above it. A bevel gear, 4! is secured on the lower end of the shaft 39 and meshes with a bevel gear 42 secured to the end of a horizontal shaft 43, herein shown iournaled in an upstanding bracket 44 mounted on the casing of the meter 28. The shaft 43 is herein shown as extending toward the front of the casing 20 and is disposed at rightangles to the shaft 38.- v

The registering and locking mechanism of the first form of the invention includes a counter 4! v of the form generally known as the Veeder' tube 52 in which the drive sleeve 41 rotates-the tube 52 and the key blade 5| being permanently and rigidly secured together and to the end plate 49. The key blade 5| is adapted to engage and manipulate a. series of vertical pin tumblers 53 located between a stationary key barrel 54 and a rotatable surrounding cylinder 55. In operation, as will be understood, when the key 5| is inserted in the key barrel 54, the pin tumblers 53 will be moved to such a position as to permit rotation of the cylinder 55 so long'as the key is in place. When the key 5| is withdrawn, the tumblers 53 will be pressed downwardly by their springs for again locking the cylinder 55 against rotation.

It will be understood that even before the cylinder 55 is rotated by means of theactuating handle 52, the shaft 43 will be in mesh with the recording counter on the key unit. This insures that no gasoline can be removed from the pump at any time after the key unit has been inserted far enough to bring the drive sleeve 41 into mesh with the shaft 43.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive, the cylinder 55 is mounted for rotative movement within, a sleeve 55 secured by rivets 51 to the casing 20 adjacent the lever 31. The cylinder 55 is retained in the sleeve 55 against axial movement therefrom by a threaded nut 58 screwed on the barrel 54, and has an upwardly extending bar or catch member 59 secured thereto by a set screw 50. The member 59 is provided at its upper end with a beveled hook 5| adapted to overlie the lever 31 when the latter is in its down, or inoperative, position, as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2. ,When the key blade 5| is inserted into the barrel 54, the cylinder 55 will be unlocked therefrom, and may be rotated counter-clockwise by means of a finger piece 52 to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, to disengage the hook 5| from the lever 31, and permit said lever to swing upwardly to the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. l. The switch in the box 33 will then be closed to energize the motor 22 and start the pump 2| whenever the handle 38 is removed to dispense liquid from the nozzle 30.

In order to insure that'the key barrel 54 will not rotate when the cylinder 55 is turned, the barrel 54 is extended rearwardly at 55a passing through a bracket 63 secured to the casing 20 by screws 54. The barrel extension 550. is rigidly secured to the bracket 53 by means of nuts 55 and 55.

In order to limit the rotation of the cylinder 55 about the stationary barrel 54, a radial pin 51 is screwed into the barrel 54 and extends outwardly therefrom into a recess 58 formed in the cylinder wall, whereby stop shoulders 59 and 10 are formed which are engaged by the screw pin 51 to respectively align the pin tumblers 53, and to limit the rotative movement of the cylinder 55 when it is moved to disengage the hook 5| from the lever 31. i

The drive sleeve 41 extending rearwardly from the counter is herein shown as having an elongated axial socket 1|, square in cross-section, to detachably receive a squared end 12 formed on the forward end of the shaft 43. The shaft 43 extends rearwardly through the barrel 54 and is of sufficient length to be received in the socket 1| and operate the counter, whenever the key blade 5| is inserted into the barrel 54 as far as it will go. 7

Operation The operation of the first form of mechanism shown in Figs. 14 inclusive is as follows: When the attendant is called upon to dispense the gasoline or other liquid commodity, he will insert the key blade 5| and counter tube 52 of the particular key and counter combination assigned to him into the barrel 54. The shaft 43, by means of its squared end 12, will thus become drivingly connected to the counter discs 45 by entering the square socket H in the sleeve 41. The attendant then rotates the cylinder 55 by means of the finger piece 52, which uncatches the hook 5| from engagement with the lever 31. The nozzle handle 38 may then be removed from the lever 31 to permit it to actuate the switch in the box 33 and energize the pump-operating motor 22.

As soon as the valve on the dispensing nozzle 30 is opened, gasoline will flow therefrom, and the volume dispensed will be registered on the meter 25 and the visual indicator 40, and also through the gears 4| and 42 and shaft 43 on the individual counter 45. After the desired amount'of gasoline has been dispensed, the nozzle 30 and its handle 38 will be returned to the full-line position shown in Fig. 1, and the lever 31 will be again depensed by him, and indicating the amount of cash and charges the attendant must turn over to the owner when he goes off duty.

Referring now to the form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, a stationary cylinder 13 is secured to the casing 28 by means of a nut 14 threaded upon the cylinder and engaging the end of an exterior sleeve 15 also secured to the casing 29. In this instance, a. spring pressed key barrel 16 is adapted to slide longitudinally within the cylinder 13, its movement being limited by an annular shoulder "on the front end of said barrel 15 and a nut 18 threaded upon the rear end thereof. A screw 19 threaded in the cylinder 13 is provided with a reduced pin 80 which enters a longitudinally extending slot 8| formed in the barrel 15 to prevent relative rotative movement between the cylinder 13 and the barrel 15.

In this modification of the invention, the slidable key barrel 15 is extended rearwardly beyond the cylinder 13 and has a notch 82 formed in its upper surface into which a catch 83 on the means 86!) outside of the casing. A spring 88 is provided to urge the member 84 downwardly and is herein shown connected to the lever 86 and to an angle bracket 89 which supports the switch box 81.

When in locked position, as shown in full lines in Fig. 5, the switch-operating lever 86 cannot be actuated to close the motor control switch in the box 81. However, after inserting the key 58 in the barrel I6, the latter may be pushed rearwardly to permit the lever 86 to swing to circuit closing position. It will be understood that the lever 86 may, if desired, serve as a support for the nozzle handle 38. As in the previously de= scribed form, the shaft 43 is non-rotatively and detachably connected .to the counter 45 by the engagement of. a squared end I2 on the shaft with a squared opening in a driving sleeve (not shown) mounted within the tube 52.

Referring now to the-modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 6-8 inclusive, a station= ary key barrel 90 is provided with a circular front face plate 9| which is riveted, or otherwise fastened, to the casing 20 to prevent rotation thereof. A laterally disposed plate 92 is secured to the barrel 90.upon which a pin tumbler car= rying casing 93 is mounted for transverse pivotal movement when the key blade Si is inserted into the barrel 90 to unlock the casing 93 therefrom. The casing 93 is provided upon. its top with a sectoixplate 94 which is pivoted to the plate 952 by a screw 95.

A pair of stop plates 96 and Bi are also pro vided to limit the swinging movement of the sector 94 and with itthe pin tumbler casing A horizontal switch actuating lever 8% is secured to the casing 93 and extends into the switch box 99. The lever 98 at its front end is provided with a finger piece 99a by means of which the sector 94 may be swung from one stop plate to the other. This may be done only after the key 56 has been inserted into the barrel 90.

The shaft 43 of this form of the invention is secured to a short sleeve I by a pin IN, and

a means of apin I extending through opposed slotsl06 in the sleeve and'through the shaft I03 to permit axial movement thereof. As will be understood, the insertion of the key blade 5i into the barrel 90 to unlock the casing 93 therefrom causes the inter-engagement of the teeth on the counter driving member I02 with the teeth on the driving shaft I03, the spring I04 insuring driving connection therebetween at all times.

The modified form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and includes a. stationary key barrel I01 secured to the casing by means of screws I08 and provided on its top with a transverse dove-tailed recess I09. A slide IIO, carrying a plurality of vertical pin tumblers III, is mounted in the recess I03 for transverse sliding movement when it is unlocked from the-barrel I01 by the insertion of the key blade 5| therein. A vertical finger piece H2 is provided on the forward endof the slide IIO, whereby a switchactuating lever H3 secured to the slide IIO by means of a screw H4, may be readily swung back and forth. A-pair of stops II 5 and 8 are provided to limit the amount of movement of the slide I I0.

While the front end I2 of the counter driving shaft 43 will preferably be made square in crosssection to fit the opening II, it is also within the scope of the present invention to make said shaft hexagonalin cross-sectional form, as shown at ill in Fig. ll, or triangular in cross-section, as shown at lid in Fig. 12. The end l2 may also have a fluted cross-section as shown at M9 in Fig. 1.5-3. It is also within the purview of the invention to provide the shaft 43 with an elongated square socket lZd having a short sliding bar ill of square cross-section fitted therein and urged by a spring ill, as shown in Fig. 14.

While there have been disclosed in this specification several forms in which the invention may be embodied, it is to be understood that these forms are shown for the purpose of illustration only, and that the invention is not to be limited to the specific disclosures but may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit. In short, the invention includes all the modifications and embodiments coming within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, and for which it is desired to secure Letters Patent, is:

1. a device'for dispensing a. liquid, 2. restrained member controlling the dispensing of the liquid, a restraining member, a key barrel, a

cylinder rotatably mounted on said barrel and i with said restraining member to release said restrained member, and yieldable slldable clutch means connectible to a movable part of said dispenslr'ig device for operating said registering device. a

2. lln a liquid dispensing apparatus, a pump for dispensing liquid, means for operating said pump, means to control the operation of said pump, a meter for measuring the liquid dispensed by said pump, means to releasably lock said control means in non-operable position, rotatable means connected to said meter to be rotated thereby, a combined key and registering device lnsertable into position to unlock said control means to permit the operation of said pump, and yleldable slidable clutch means for connecting said registering device with said rotatable means to separately register the amount of liquid dispensed.

3. in a registering device for a liquid dispensing device, a meter for recording the total volume of liquid dispensed thereby, a key barrel, 9, cylinder rotatably mounted on said barrel, pin tumblers operatively positioned between said cylinder and said barrel to lock them together, a key insertable into said barrel to slide said pin tumblers to unlock said cylinder from said barrel, a counter for registering the volume of liquid dispensed by one individual operator secured to said key and having a driving member adapted to be connected to a drivenpart of said dispensing device when said key is inserted into said barrel, and resilient yieldab le clutch means for connecting said driving'member to said driven part.

4. in a liquid dispensing'apparatus, a pump, means to drive said pump, means to lock said Dump driving means from operation, a meter for recording the total volume of liquid dispensed, a combined key and counter for releasing said locking means, resilient yieldable clutch means insertable into said locking means for connecting said meter with said counter to permit said counter to be driven thereby when said key and counter is in inserted position.

5. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a pump, means to control the operation of said pump, means to restrain said control means, a meter for registering the total volume of liquid dispensed, a lock for said restraining means, and a combined key and counter insertable into said lock to release said restraining means, said counter and said meter having co-acting yieldable clutch members engageable to operate said counter whenever said combined key and counter is inserted in said lock.

6. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a motoroperated pump, a motor-controlling switch, a lock for holding said switch in open position, a key for insertion into said lock to permit manual closing of said switch, said key having a visible registering counter rigidly connected thereto, and means passing through said lock to operate said counter to indicate the volume of liquid dispensed while said key is within said lock, said counter having a slidable yieldable clutch connection with said means.

'7. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a motoroperated pump, a motor-controlling switch, pivoted means for operating said switch, a lock for said means, a combined key and registering device insertable into said lock to'unlock said means, and a rotatable shaft passing through said lock for operating said registering device to record the amount of liquid dispensed While the key is within said lock, said registering device having a resilient yieldable clutch connection with said shaft.

'8. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a motoroperated pump, a motor-controlling switch, sliding means for operating said switch, a lock for said means, a combined key and registering device insertable into said lock to unlock said means, and a rotatable shaft passing through said lock for operating said registered device to record the amount of liquid dispensed while the key is within said lock, said registering device having a resilient yieldable clutch connection with said shaft.

9. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a motoroperated pump, a motor-controlling switch, pivoted means for operating said switch, a lock for said means, a combined key and registering device insertable into said lock to unlock said means, and means passing through said lock for operating said registering device to record the amount of liquid'dispensed while the key is within said lock, said registering device having Y a resilient yieldable clutch connection with said means.

10. In a liquid-dispensing apparatus, a motor driven pump, a lock for said pump, a meter for recording the total volume of liquid dispensed thereby, a combined key and register to unlock said pump and indicate the amount of liquid dispensed while the key is within said look, a tubular socket secured to said key and insertable into said look, a register-actuating driving shaft actuated by the operation of said pump adapted to be received in said socket and non-rotatively connected thereto when said key and socket are inserted into said lock, and a resilient yieldable clutch for connecting said shaft and socket.

11. In a liquid-dispensing apparatus, a motor driven pump, a lock for said pump, a combined key and register to unlock said pump and indicate the amount of liquid dispensed while the key is within said look, a tubular socket secured to said key and insertable into said lock, and a register-actuating driving shaft operated by said pump adapted to be received in said socket, resilient yieldable clutch means for non-rotative- 1y connecting said shaft and said socket when said key and socket are inserted into said lock, said socket and shaft being squared to interflt with each other.

12. In a liquid-dispensing apparatus, a motor driven pump, a lock for said pump, a combined key and register to unlock said pump and indicate the amount of liquid dispensed while the key is within said look. a tubular socket secured to said key and insertable into said lock, and a register-actuating driving shaft operated by said pump adapted to be receivedin said socket and non-rotatively connected thereto when said key and socket are inserted into said lock, said socket and shaft being polygonal in cross-section, said shaft having a yieldable clutch connection with said socket.

13. In a liquid-dispensing apparatus, a motor driven pump, a lock for said pump, a combined key and register to unlock said pump and indicate the amount of liquid dispensed while the key is within said look, a tubular socket secured to said key and insertable into said lock, and a driving shaft for actuating said register driven by the operation of said pump and adapted to be received in said socket and non-rotatively connected thereto when said key and socket are inserted into said lock. the end of said driving shaft having a sliding resilient loose clutch connection therewith.

14. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a motordriven pump, a switch, a lock for restraining -clutch member, and a spring-pressed rotatable slidable clutch member responsive to the operation of said pump for cooperatively engaging said register clutch member.

15. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a motoroperated pump, a motor-controlling switch, a substantially horizontal lever for actuating said switch, means to normally urge said lever into circuit closing position, a dispensing nozzle adapted to be supported by said lever to hold it in open circuit position, a lock for said lever, a combined key and register insertable into said lock to unlock said lever. and means connected with said pump and passing through said lock to operate said register to record the amount pf llziquid dispensed while said key is within said oc I 16. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a motoroperated pump, a motor-controlling switch, laterally sliding dove-tailed means for operating said switch. a lock for said means, a. combined key and registering device insertable into said lock to unlocksaid means, and a rotatable shaft pasing through said lock for operating said aoeaeee registering device to record the amount of liquid dispensed while the key is within said lock.

17. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a pump, a lock for said pump, said lock including a central sliding barrel for unlatching said lock, a stationary sleeve for said barrel, a combined key and liquid register insertable into said barrel, and pump-driven means passing through said barrel and detachably connected to said liquid register to operate the latter, said means having a slidable yieldable connection with said register.

18. In a diquid dispensing apparatus, a motoroperated liquid dispensing pump, a motor-controlling switch, a lock for holding said switch in open position, a key insertable into said lock to permit manual closing of said switch, said key having a visible liquid registering counter rigidly connected thereto, means passing through said lock to operate said counter to indicate the volume of liquid dispensed while said key is within said lock, and means for automatically and yieldably clutching said counter operating means with said counter when said key is being inserted.

19. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a motoroperated pump, a motor controlling switch, a lock for holding said switch in open position, a key insertable into said lock to close said switch, a liquid registering counter having a clutch member extending therefrom, rotatable yieldable and slidable clutch means adapted to engage said clutch member, pump-responsive mechanism for rotating said clutch means, and means operated by the insertion of said key into said lock to cause the engagement of said clutch member with said clutch means to operate said counter.

20. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a pump, a

look for said pump, a key insertable into said lock to unlock said pump, an individual registering counter having a clutch member extending therefrom, rotatable yieldable and slidable clutch means adapted to engage said clutch member, pump-actuated mechanism for rotating said clutch means, and means operated by the insertion of said key into said lock to cause the engagement of said clutch member with said clutch means to operate said counter.

21. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a motoroperated pump, a motor controlling switch, a lock for holding said switch in open position, a key insertable into said look to close said switch, a liquid registering counter having a rotatable clutch member extending therefrom, a spring-pressed rotatable and slidable clutch member adapted to cooperatively engage said counter clutch member, pump-actuated mechanism for rotating said slidable clutch member, and means operated by the insertion of said key into said lock to cause the interengagement of said clutch members to operate said counter.

22. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a pump, a lock for preventing operation of said pump, a key insertable into said lock to unlock said pump, a liquid registering counter having a rotatable clutch member extending therefrom, a spring-pressed rotatable and slidable clutch member adapted to cooperatively engage said counter clutch member, pump-actuated mechanism for rotating said slidable clutch member, and means operated by the insertion of said key to cause the interengagement of said clutch members to operate said counter.

GEORGE S. GREEN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,087,665.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification 1" the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: irst column, line 47, claim 8, for the word "registered" read registering;

July 20, 1937.

' GEORGE s. GREEN.

Page 4,

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of September,

(Seal) Henry Van Arsdale Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

